UN hands over fortified compound to Somalia

DHUSAMAREB, Somalia - The United Nations has handed over a fortified compound in Dhusamareb, the regional administrative capital of Galmudug state of Somalia, as the organisation gears towards ending the UN political mission in the country.

At Hero Drogo, the UN built an office for its staff, but it plans to wind up activities in the country by late December 2026. The building has since been taken away by the regional administration of Galmudug under Ahmed Abdi Kariye, alias Qoor Qoor.

UN representative James Swan said the United Nations had “constructed and equipped the compound for operations” in Galmudug.

“However, due to the United Nations’ financial situation and the projected closure of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia in October 2026 at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, this facility will now be transferred to the Government of the State of Galmudug for its use,” he told the audience.

He added that “the spirit of UN solidarity and support for the people of Galmudug” was as crucial to the handover as the bricks and concrete themselves.

Swan said the premises would help Galmudug authorities “pursue peace, stability, security and development,” and stressed that the UN’s support for the state “is not solely about a physical location.”

In addition, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia will train Galmudug technicians on the compound’s power, water, and security systems until the end of the year, before withdrawing its specialist staff.

Dhusamareb has become a political and security hub for central Somalia, and officials say the compound can host state institutions, visiting delegations, and security meetings in a more controlled environment.

Several missions are winding up in Somalia despite the state-building process slowing doing in recent weeks. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is preparing for elections in the country, but the question of insecurity remains unanswered.

GAROWE ONLINE